Program Emphasis

Our program investigates the psychotherapeutic attitude and cultivates it both in ourselves and our students. The therapeutic attitude illuminates our relationships to self, others, family and our cultures. This involves an attitude of caring for the multiple expressions of what it means to be human.

The program does not promote a specific technique or school of therapy. However, certain issues are recognized as central: co-creation of meaning and the face-to-face aspect of the relationship are examples.

Students are introduced to basic ideas and skills that are core to therapeutic practice. The goal is to develop skills in the context of an understanding of the meaning and purpose of the therapeutic relationship. In our society, psychotherapy is assumed to happen primarily in consulting rooms, clinics, and hospitals. Thus, the program prepares students to work in these places. However, since “psychotherapy” means, etymologically, “attending to the psyche,” this activity happens in other situations and in many professions. Hence, the program is open to all students whose interests fall under the broadest definition of “psychotherapy.”

Prospective students should note that the process of becoming a therapist requires attending to one’s own experience and encouraging feedback from others (e.g. supervisors) even though doing so may at times be both difficult and painful. Personal therapy is helpful in providing a supportive context in which one can confront emotional obstacles and blind spots. Students whose personal issues persistently interfere with their movement towards an increased capacity to work therapeutically with others may be asked to take a leave of absence or to withdraw from the program.

Our graduate curriculum meets the Washington state law for counselors’ content standards for those wanting to become licensed as mental health counselors.